THANKS FOR BEING WITH US AT 530. I’M JACK THURSTON. AND I’M LAUREN GRANADA. AS WE CONTINUE OUR COVERAGE OF THE 20-26 WINTER OLYMPICS. WE WANT TO TAKE A LOOK BACK ON THIS DAY.. 46 YEARS AGO IN LAKE PLACID. CHECK THIS OUT. YOU’RE LOOKING AT VINTAGE W-P-T-Z FOOTAGE… OF THE CAULDRON LIGHTING FOR THE 1980 WINTER GAMES. THE OPENING CEREMONY TOOK PLACE AT THE NORTH ELBA HORSE SHOW GROUNDS, WHERE TORCHBEARER DOCTOR CHARLES KERR OF ARIZONA HAD THE HONOR OF LIGHTING THE OLYMPIC CAULDRON. FIGURE SKATER SCOTT HAMILTON CARRIED THE U-S FLAG. A COOL FACT. THIS WAS THE FIRST TIME EVER LEVI STRAUSS OUTFITTED TEAM U-S-A. THIS WAS A
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Watch as the Olympic Cauldron is lit in Lake Placid, 1980
Forty-six years ago, the historic Olympic Cauldron was lit for the very first time in the United States — and it happened right here, in Lake Placid.On Feb. 13, 1980, the Olympic flame completed its 4,000-mile journey from Olympia, Greece to Lake Placid, New York and was lit in the Olympic Cauldron, signaling the start of the Games. The spectacular event marked the first time the flame had ever been in the United States.Figure skater Scott Hamilton was part of the ceremony, carrying the United States flag into the stadium, according to the Lake Placid Olympic Museum. Famed jeans maker Levi Strauss & Co. also outfitted Team USA during the event.Check out this retro video from our digital archives!
Forty-six years ago, the historic Olympic Cauldron was lit for the very first time in the United States — and it happened right here, in Lake Placid.
On Feb. 13, 1980, the Olympic flame completed its 4,000-mile journey from Olympia, Greece to Lake Placid, New York and was lit in the Olympic Cauldron, signaling the start of the Games. The spectacular event marked the first time the flame had ever been in the United States.
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Figure skater Scott Hamilton was part of the ceremony, carrying the United States flag into the stadium, according to the Lake Placid Olympic Museum.
Famed jeans maker Levi Strauss & Co. also outfitted Team USA during the event.
Check out this retro video from our digital archives!
